Explore Winter Park Resort

Winter Park Family Dining Guide

October 27, 2018

A Winter Park Family Dining Guide is your ticket to avoiding hangry kiddos and learning some new go-to stops for food that are friendly for the whole family!

As a general rule for eating in a ski town, eat early, late, or call ahead to avoid the crowds. Bringing hungry kids to a 20-minute wait is asking for a miserable time. We want to help avoid that and give you the best places in town to stop for a quick bite or a sit down meal- whatever you’re looking for, all in one spot!

Breakfast – On Mountain

One of the newest additions to the Winter Park Resort Village is Waffle Cabin. This easy grab and go breakfast also has a location by the Gemini so it can be a chairlift breakfast! If that isn’t cool enough for the kiddos, the waffles also come covered in chocolate! Talk about morning motivation!

Where: In Winter Park Village or by the Gemini

Best Time to Go: Before you get in

What to Order: Sugar Waffle with Chocolate Topping

This is a local favorite! With both savory and sweet crepes, this is a good way to fill hungry bellies before a day on the mountain. This place, like most good food spots, is NOT a secret. They open as early as 8am, so get there first thing to try and beat the rush.

Their website says they have online ordering coming soon! So check that out and get your food order in before you even leave your condo. Check out the full menu, but careful, you might start feeling pretty hungry!

Where: In Winter Park Village

Best Time to Go: Early (They open at 8am on Weekends)

What to Order: Goody’s Breakfast Crepe

Located in Moffat Market in West Portal is a food court with a variety of options. One of those is an Einstein’s bagel kiosk for fresh bagels! This is another easy grab and go option or pull up a seat, as you’re pretty close to the Ski and Ride School building, so no need to rush!

Where: In Moffat Market

Best Time to Go: Before a ski lesson

What to Order: Cinnamon Sugar Bagel

Breakfast – Downtown Winter Park

Looking for a classic breakfast in downtown Winter Park? Check out their full menu. They open at 7am, and typically start to pick up business around 9:30-10, so this is a good spot if the kids are early risers and you want a sit-down spot.

Where: Between Winter Park Pub and the Winter Park Post Office

Best Time to Go: Before 9:30am

What to Order: French Toast for the kids and a Mary Jane Scramble for the parents

This is one of the best stops for breakfast, located in Fraser, it offers a cozy atmosphere and one of the best breakfast burritos in town. Note though, that parking and seating are limited. Order ahead for pick up (970) 726-TOGO

If you’re staying in Fraser, you can ride the town shuttle right to Sharky’s and then pick it up again and continue to the resort.

Where: Down the street from Safeway

Best Time to Go: ASAP they open at 7am

What to Order: Chocolate chip pancakes or something from their list of Benedicts

With options to sit and enjoy your morning deliciousness or grab and go. Rise & Shine offers delicious fresh bakery that few can rival. Grab an egg sandwich to go on one of their croissants, and you’ll be set for the morning. This is another great spot for morning peeps, as they also open at 7am. They hit their peak time at 9am, so get in earlier to avoid a crowd. Check out their full menu.

Where: Across the street from the Post Office

Best Time to Go: ASAP they open at 7am

What to Order: Summit Bagel Sandwhich

Lunch – On Mountain

If you and the kids are primarily riding in the Winter Park Territory, Coffee & Tea is a nice place to get a variety of sandwiches and maybe something sweet! You need that extra sugar rush in the afternoon.

Where: Balcony House

Best Time to Go: Early/Late lunch

What to Order: Before 11 – Railyard | Lunch – Tophers Turkey

If you’re riding in Discovery Park, swing by Snoasis, but make sure you grab an early bite or eat some snacks and stop by after 1 to avoid the lunch rush.

The on-mountain eatery has a deck for ample viewing of the Dark Territory – our expert terrain park – you’ll get lunch and a show!

Where: At the base of the Eskimo and Prospector lifts

Best Time to Go: After 1pm

What to Order: Grilled Ham and Cheese with Tomato Basil Bisque

Mary Jane Market Cafe

If your lil’ rippers are spinning laps on the Galloping Goose on the Mary Jane side, take a break and head to the MJ Market. This food court set up offers plenty of options for picky eaters and plenty of seating with additional upstairs. This is classic ski lodge fare, so grab a panini and a cup of chili!

Where: Base of the Mary Jane

Best Time to Go: After 1pm

What to Order: Cirque Burger

Lunch – Downtown Winter Park

Fraser Valley Hot Dog has a lot of options so you may want to just order for the kids if they get overwhelmed! This spot offers outdoor seating, so we highly recommend stopping by if it is a sunny day and you’re looking to soak up the rays!

Where: After the first stop light in downtown Winter Park heading north from the resort

Best Time to Go: When they open at 11:30

What to Order: Dogfather

Smokehouse, as the locals say, has a lunch special that offers a good bang for the buck! Come on in before 2 to take advantage of a sandwich, side, and drink deal for the adults; the kids will love the kids menu just for them with Lil’ Sammies and Mac & Cheese options.

Where: Main Street across from Best Western

Best Time to Go: 11:30 to avoid the lunch rush

What to Order: The Liftie and Sweet Potato Mash

Delicious and nutritious, Rudi’s specializes in creations that taste good and are good for you! They also have a great variety of vegetarian options. Check out their full selection of sandwiches and paninis.

Rudi’s opens at 11 and then picks up traffic around noon, so a great stop for early lunching or give them a call to order take out!

Where: Plaza North of Hideaway Park

Best Time to Go: 11am for early lunch

What to Order: Avacado Turkey Melt

Dinner – On Mountain

This Resort favorite has a delicious kid’s menu and adult options that you’ll enjoy! The meals are hearty and just what you need after a day of riding. The lunch and après scene typically run until 6pm, so this may be a good place to go for a bit of a later dinner.

Where: Winter Park Village beside the Depot

Best Time to Go: After Après (After 6pm)

Pizza is always a hit! Order the kids something traditional and then grab one of the specialties (like a Hardtail) for the adults! This village pizzeria has limited seating, but you can order ahead for pick up and then host a Pizza Party in your condo! View their menu and call ahead: (970)- 726-5944

Where: Winter Park Village

Best Time to Go: Order ahead for Pizza Pickup

What to Order: The Hardtail (for the parents)

For another dinner option right in the Winter Park Village, check out Backbowl! Located close to the Cabriolet, you can easily access this cozy nook for soup and sandwiches. If it has a bit of a crowd, you can also order to-go. They are open until 8pm, so you can change after skiing and then come back and enjoy the Village.

Where: Top of the Winter Park Village towards the Cabriolet

Best Time to Go: Late Dinner

What to Order: K-2 with Soup

Dinner – Downtown Winter Park

Probably the top spot for families, this is also a top pizza place and offers a laid-back environment for family dining. This is a MUST to check out, but keep in mind getting there EARLY. You’ll probably want to eat in this unique restaurant. They open as early as 4pm! Call ahead for to reserve your seats or to place your take-out order (970)-726-5409.

Where: Plaza North of Main Street and Kings Crossing

Best Time to Go: Right when they open (4pm) or call ahead!

What to Order: Any of their pizza!

Adjacent to the Cooper Creek playground is the best Mexican in town. With friendly service and lots of free parking, you’ll love this choice. We recommend getting their early and then maybe try out the Cooper Creek ice skating rink, or ice cream at Sweet Charlie’s.

Where: Cooper Creek Square – 2nd level

Best Time to Go: 3pm for early dinner

What to Order: It’s all good

Dining in Winter Park is really about timing to miss the ski rushes. If you put some time into planning, you’ll be able to enjoy all the great food options both at the Resort and in Downtown. Come hungry!